I got sidetracked planning the fifth grade year for Laura. Some of the stuff I was going through I never used, or barely used. So, I was debating if I was going to incorporate any of those materials into this next year. Basically, I've come up with a solid NO. I have a few books I am going to use for readers or read alouds, but the majority of the stuff just needs to go. I am determined to simplify this next year.
This past year was chaos. I don't want a repeat. The book, The Spiritual Power of a Mother by Michael P. Farris, totally freed me of some of my own expectations for my homeschool. It helped set my priorities where they need to be. I have realized, after a LOT of trial and error, that my my ideal homeschool may not happen the way I thought. And know what? That is perfectly fine with me.
After a lot of thought and prayers, my eclectic homeschool mix for next year is taking shape. Yes, there will be some textbooks. (I can hear the groans now.) Yet, I am content. You see, I stressed myself out so bad this past year trying this or that, or buying a workbook program that cost me more than I could afford. I love living books, I really do. I have every intention of using them often. I just don't want to do it for every subject. I know history comes alive with stories, but Laura burns out with history when she's reading, reading, reading all these historical novels. She wants more of a mix than that. She came alive with the Ralph S. Mouse series precisely because she does like variety.
There will be historical books. We haven't banned them or anything. I have a list of books I want to read or have Laura read to supplement our study of U.S. History. Some of them will serve the dual purpose of history supplement and a reader. I've gotten a few books from Christian Liberty Press. I just got one from Abeka. I'm not going to stick only with Christian books, but I do like to use them where possible. I also have a few selections used by Sonlight for their core 3 and 4 American History program.
Mostly, I want to focus on a strong Bible study and devotion time with my daughters, Math, and Language Arts. I feel those suffered this past year as Laura had some struggles in Math and we were finding our own style. For Language Arts, I want to incorporate a variety of things. Mr. Farris, in The Spiritual Power of a Mother, talked about Math and Language Arts needing to be the ones to be mastered. The clarity he brought to me about the difference between mastery and exposure in subjects has brought a lot of relief to me. I no longer feel the need to do or try everything.
I still have some research to do... and some buying. I still haven't settled on a math program for next year. I am trying Time4Learning for a month or so with Laura to see how she likes the math portion. So far, it's been mixed. She doesn't totally like it. I had hoped that the visuals would help. I think they do a little, but so far it still isn't a perfect fit. I think what Laura needs is some manipulatives and a lot of one on one teaching time. I've tried a lot of independent learning styles, and that isn't working. If I want her to make progress, I think we'll both have to buckle down.
As I continue to plan, I will keep updating my choices. I still haven't settled on anything for the preschooler. The high school program will be between or a mix of ACE and Alpha Omega because that is the programs her homeschool adviser uses.
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